“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ … having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.”

Today’s devotion comes from Luke 2:1-14.

“Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” Luke 2:1-14.

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Other doctrine praises man for who he is and what he has done.

But, Reformed Doctrine praises God for Who He is and what He has done.

Other doctrine seeks to give some glory to man.

But, Reformed Doctrine uses the words of today’s Scripture and states: “Glory to God in the highest”.

Other doctrine thinks the good news is that man is good and can contribute good works or good will so that he can secure salvation.

But, Reformed Doctrine sees that the good news of great joy is “a Savior, who is Christ the Lord”.

Other doctrine thinks that God is pleased with all men and gives peace and joy to all men.

But, Reformed Doctrine sees that there is only peace for those “whom He is pleased”, namely His elect for all of whom Christ died and reconciled to God.

Reformed Doctrine understands that Scripture clearly teaches that there is no peace for the wicked.

“20 But the wicked are like the tossing sea,
For it cannot be quiet,
And its waters toss up refuse and mud.
21 “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.” Isaiah 57:20-21.

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,” Romans 1:18.

Reformed Doctrine further understands that in order for us to have peace with God, we need to be reconciled to God and saved from God’s wrath through Jesus Christ.

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. …

For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” Romans 5:1-2 and 6-10.